... refreshing acidity, stony minerality [...] leading to a long, delicate finish.
IWC 2021
Village Chardonnay, Paul Cluver
A blend of several components of Chardonnay from Paul Cluver's Elgin estate, 2020 was the inaugural vintage of Village Chardonnay.
A lightly oaked Chardonnay, bursting with citrus and fresh Granny Smith apple notes, followed by nuances of white peach and complemented with subtle hints of oak. These characteristics follow through onto the palate which reveals natural, fresh and fine acidity, with a lingering finish.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
12.5 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
1.9 g/L
pH
3.35
ACIDITY
6.5 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
VARIETY
Chardonnay
TIME IN OAK
7 months (portion of the blend)
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
Partial
CLOSURE
Screw top
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Elgin
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
The 2020 growing season consisted of moderate day temperatures and cool night temperatures, ideal for the development of great quality grapes. A good volume of rain fell in October 2019 and January 2020 which benefited the vineyards greatly. Harvesting of the 2020 Chardonnay grapes started early on 31st January, with the last grapes being harvested on 11th March. Harvest was done by hand in the early hours of the morning, thus delivering cool grapes to the cellar. Grapes were harvested between 20-23° Brix, with acidities between 7.0 and 8.5g/l.
Vinification details
Cluver’s Village Chardonnay was fermented in large foudre oak vats (2500L), older small oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The small oak barrel component was left to spontaneously ferment, while the other two components were inoculated with a selection of Burgundian yeast strains. Nurtured for 7 months on the lees and then the blending trails commenced before the wine was stabilised and prepared for bottling.
Awards
IWC: Gold
DWWA & IWSC: Silver
Tim Atkin MW: 93 pts
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
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